omargonzalez

CARSON, Calif. -- No player in MLS knows Jermain Defoe quite like his former Tottenham Hotspur teammate Robbie Keane, and as he prepares to lead playoff hopeful Toronto FC into StubHub Center, Keane understands that LA will have their hands full with the Englishman.

After missing the last two months with a hamstring injury, Defoe is expected to be available for selection when Toronto take on the Galaxy on Saturday. Although he's missed the last six games for TFC, he's still the team's leading goal scorer with 11 goals for the Reds.

"He's a fantastic player and a typical goal scorer. He can score many different types of goals and can finish all over the field," said Keane. "I bet that he's excited to get playing and I know that he doesn't like to be injured, so he'll be dangerous if he gets on the field, but I hope that he won't do too well against us."

Trumpted as a top tier signing in the offseason, Defoe's time with Toronto has been a turbulent one with the player repeatedly linked to a move back to his native England. Although rumors have swirled about Defoe's commitment to TFC, Keane says that his former teammate remains a valuable asset for Toronto.

"I wouldn't say that he's had a difficult time because when he's played, he's done well," added Keane. "You can't help injuries which is just part of what we do. People are simply saying that he's not adapting because of the speculation of him moving somewhere else. If you look at how he's played, he's scored goals."

As for the business of marking Defoe, Galaxy center back Omar Gonzalez believes that much like New York Red Bulls striker Bradley Wright-Phillips, LA will be need to be mindful of his presence in the penalty area if they're to extend their unbeaten run to 10 games.

"Defoe is a great player, but we have to be focused on ourselves. If we can make Toronto run and chase the game by having possession than that's great. However as soon as we lose the ball, we have to be mindful of the space behind us because that's where he's the most deadly. He's a tricky player, but I'm sure that we have guys that can handle him."

Omar Alejandro Gonzalez has excelled on the soccer field, but now he's looking to extend his reach to the film industry with his directorial debut in "Every Dog Has Its Day."

The defender turned director released his venture into filmmaking on Sunday with a adventure film detailing the trip of six friends to an unknown land. The brief film is a true tour de force. In EDHID, we get a chance to see Omar Alejandro's skills at not only piloting a DJII drone helicopter, but also several miles of rich Rancho Palos Verdes coastline.

Omar Alejandro displays a unique talent for incorporating Mother Nature into the story line while also interspersing several exciting cameos like LA Galaxy midfielder Baggio Husidic and man on a boat. It's no surprise that Omar Alejandro's work has already earned selection into the "Brendan Hannan Film Festival" and the coveted "ACB Choice" award.

All in all, the film is a triumph for Supporters' Shield films and has to be awarded FOUR paws up.

CARSON, Calif. -- After their 4-0 shellacking of the New York Red Bulls, it's no surprise that the LA Galaxy are well represented on MLSsoccer.com's Team of the Week.

Landon Donovan, Robbie Keane and Omar Gonzalez were each named to MLSsoccer.com's squad for their role in LA's victory. In the win against New York, Keane tallied twice to set a new personal single season MLS career high of 17 goals while Gonzalez was vital in helping LA notch their ninth shutout of the season. Donovan took home top honors being named MLS Player of the Week after tallying three assists and one goal en route to tying Steve Ralston's all-time MLS assist record of 135.

Also receiving recognition was Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena who was named 'Coach of the Week" while Jaime Penedo earned an honorable mention for his six save performance in the win.

LA Galaxy defenders Robbie Rogers and Omar Gonzalez were named to MLSsoccer.com's Team of the Week on Monday for their performance in the club's 2-1 victory over FC Dallas.

Rogers enjoyed a stellar evening along the left side -- and even garnered some U.S. National Team buzz from captain Robbie Keane -- while Gonzalez helped shutdown the FCD attack. Meanwhile, Robbie Keane was placed on the Team of the Week bench for his goal and assist against Dallas.

CARSON, Calif. -- The LA Galaxy will take on an old friend on Wednesday in former LA defender Sean Franklin.

Drafted by the Galaxy in 2008, Franklin spent the last six years with the club and played a major role in the Galaxy sides that won back to back MLS Cups in 2011 and 2012, before joining D.C. United via the Re-Entry Draft process last December. Franklin won't be the only familiar face in Black-and-Red on Wednesday as he'll be joined by defender Kofi Opare who was dealt to D.C. United last month from LA, but is not expected to play a role against the Galaxy.

"It'll be nice if I get the chance to go up against him. I did get the chance to play against him in the All-Star Game which was nice because he did really, really well. We're all really happy for him."

Added Omar Gonzalez, "It's going to be fun to see him. He's been having a great season and I'm very happy for him, but hopefully we can shut him down tomorrow."

“[It was] not one of his better games,” said Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena of Gonzalez’s performance after the draw. “I think he could’ve defended a little bit better on the two goals, but they obviously weren’t too dangerous going forward and somehow we managed to concede two goals. That’s the story line.”

Gonzalez redeemed himself in the 49th minute when he broke free of Atiba Harris on a corner kick and placed a Stefan Ishizaki effort off the pitch and into the bottom corner of the Earthquakes net. Set piece finishes have become a specialty of Gonzalez, who has drawn considerable pressure from opposing defenses since his memorable tally in the 2012 MLS Cup final.

“I finally got my goal,” said Gonzalez. “When players don’t hold on to me [on set pieces], I can find the ball, so I’m happy that I could get open, and get my head on the ball.”

Even though he broke free against San Jose, Gonzalez doesn’t expect to be as open in the future.

“I definitely expect the [defenders] to be holding me. That’s the way it is,” said Gonzalez. “My job is to make the run, and it’s up to the referee to see that. I will just keep on doing that, and I’m sure I will keep getting held.”

CARSON, Calif. -- Robbie Keane and Omar Gonzalez may not be taking part in Wednesday's MLS All-Star Game, but there will be an LA Galaxy player available when the All-Stars take on Bayern Munich at Portland's Providence Park -- Landon Donovan.

"In the end, I don't get to make that decision [about staying behind]. I'm happy to go and I'm excited to go. I've already spoken with [MLS All-Star head coach Caleb Porter] and I won't be playing a lot, and that's okay. I understand because there has been other All-Star Games where I haven't been able to play. It's good for [our] guys to rest and it'll be fine because I'll be ready for Friday."

While Donovan will see, at least, some time in the league's showpiece event, Keane and Gonzalez will remain behind in Southern California and prepare for Friday's match against the Earthquakes. While missing out on the All-Star Game was a tad frustrating for the Galaxy's Irish captain, he sent well wishes to the league's best as they prepare to take on Bayern.

"I'm happy that I was selected, but first and foremost my priority is the Galaxy and we have an important game on Friday," said Keane. "I wish the All-Stars well and I'm sorry that I couldn't be there, but I'll be watching on TV."

Following their convincing 3-0 victory over Seattle Sounders FC on Monday evening, Landon Donovan, Omar Gonzalez and Marcelo Sarvas were named to MLSscocer.com's Team of the Week.

Donovan and Sarvas had a hand in all three Galaxy goals with Donovan ending the evening with one goal and two assists while the Brazilian tallied one assist in a dominant performance in central midfield. Meanwhile Gonzalez was confident in defense in his first match back from an ankle injury as LA silenced the Sounders attack.

Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena was also named Coach of the Week while right back Dan Gargan was named to the team of the week bench.

In the third minute of first half stoppage time of the LA Galaxy’s 3-0 victory over Seattle Sounders FC, a scuffle ensued between LA’s Omar Gonzalez and Seattle’s Clint Dempsey and DeAndre Yedlin.

The sequence began when Yedlin went up for a header with A.J. DeLaGarza and appeared to launch an elbow at the Galaxy center back. Gonzalez spotted hard challenge and promptly pushed Yedlin to the pitch with Demspey descending upon his USMNT teammate moments later for a heated exchange. For his role in the tussle, only Omar Gonzalez earned a caution from as tempers remained high between both sides throughout the rest of the Galaxy’s road win.

The altercation between the two teams led to plenty of attention during the game, but after the match it was hardly mentioned as only Galaxy midfielder Landon Donovan addressed the in-game tension.

“It’s enjoyable. It’s competitive, and our team wasn’t going to back down and we don’t want guys to back down. We don’t want to be stupid, but we want to be competitive and Seattle is the same way,” Donovan said. “Sigi [Schmid] is an excellent coach and he always has them ready to go. All that stuff happens after the game. You shake hands and you move on, but it was a good game, it was a competitive game, but a clean game.”

CARSON, Calif. – Don’t count on LA Galaxy center back Omar Gonzalez making a move in the summer transfer window. At least that was the message from the defender on Monday ahead of Wednesday’s match against Manchester United.

“I still want to ply my trade in Europe, but right now I’m committed to the Galaxy,” said Gonzalez who signed a new Designated Player contract a year ago. “That’s something that my agent handles, but right now I’m looking to get back to full fitness and I’m looking to get a result against United and go to Seattle and have a tough game.”

Although the Galaxy currently boast three Designated Players, the unsettled club situation of Manchester United forward Javier Hernandez has led to some speculation that he may be bound for a move to MLS. However, Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena refused to entertain any speculation about a move for the El Tri star.

“You don’t talk about other players that are under contract with other clubs,” said Arena. “We don’t talk about that stuff publicly.”